Free Tax Preparation with Catholic Charities
2026-02-17, 2026-02-18, 2026-02-19
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Tuesday's Schedule
2026-02-17
PrintBoys Basketball
Altamont at St. Anthony, 6 p.m. (LISTEN ON 979XFM)
Effingham at Taylorville, 6 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Moweaqua Central A&M, 6 p.m.
Martinsville at Cumberland, 6 p.m.
Woodlawn at Dieterich, 6:15 p.m.
Neoga vs. Tuscola at Lake Land College, 6 p.m.
Newton at Casey-Westfield, 6 p.m.
North Clay at Red Hill (Bridgeport), 6 p.m.
Ramsey at St. Elmo/Brownstown, 6:15 p.m.
South Central at Oblong, 6 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Class 1A Bluford Webber Regional
Game 3 — Edwards County vs. Webber Township (Bluford), 6 p.m.
Game 4 — Woodlawn vs. Lawrenceville, 7:30 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
Charleston at Effingham, 3:45 p.m.
Effingham Sacred Heart at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:15 p.m.
Altamont at Teutopolis, 4:15 p.m.
Windsor at Cumberland, 4:30 p.m.
Mattoon at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
Dieterich at North Clay, 4:30 p.m.
Jasper County at Casey-Westfield, 4:30 p.m.
Windsor at Cumberland, 4:30 p.m.

Bald Eagle Days at Pere Marquette State Park
2026-02-18, 2026-02-19, 2026-02-20
PrintHave you ever seen America’s national bird, the bald eagle? Soaring on a 6 to 7 1/2 foot wing-span, eagles are magnificent! It is not necessary to travel all the way to Canada to see these fabulous creatures. Pere Marquette State Park is fortunate to play host to the winter season visitors. Eagles may be spotted in the trees along the Illinois River from now through March.
Pere Marquette State Park will be presenting informative programs about bald eagles this winter. Visitors will learn to distinguish between immature and mature bald eagles, what eagles eat, why they spend winter months in the area, and much more. All programs will begin at the park’s visitor center at 8:30 A.M. (Reservations Required) There will be a video presentation and program followed by an observational drive to view the wintering bald eagles. Please be sure to dress warmly, have a full tank of gas, and bring binoculars!
* Programs are from 8:30 AM until 4:00 PM at the Pere Marquette Park Visitor’s Center
* Wear warm clothes, water/mud resistant shoes, and don’t forget your binoculars and camera!
* Reservations are required – call 618-786-3323 ext. 1 to reserve your spot!
Bald Eagle Days Tour Schedule:
Friday, January 30
Monday, February 2
Tuesday, February 3
Wednesday, February 4
Wednesday, February 18
Thursday, February 19
Friday, February 20
Wednesday, February 25
Thursday, February 26
Friday, February 27
Friday, March 6
Pere Marquette State Park is located at 13112 Visitor Center Lane, Grafton, Illinois 62037.

Enduring Freedom Ministries Distributions in February
2026-02-18, 2026-02-19
PrintEnduring Freedom Ministries February Calendar:
Tuesday, February 10th, 4-6pm, Shumway location is 304 South West Street (old grade school)
Wednesday, February, 11th, noon – 2p.m., Shumway location is 304 South West Street (old grade school)
Saturday, February 14th, 9a.m.-noon, Mason location is West Washington Street (Mason Civic Center)
Wednesday, February, 18th, noon – 2p.m., Shumway location is 304 South West Street (old grade school)
Thursday, February 19th, noon – 2p.m or until we run out. We are hosting an EXTRA FREE-FOOD DISTRIBUTION DRIVE-THROUGH. This will be held on the parking lot of the EFFINGHAM ARMORY at 1206 West Temple Avenue in Effingham.
Saturday, February 28th, 8:30-noon, Shumway location is 304 South West Street (old grade school)
We ask that the families call and make an appointment for our Shumway & Mason Distributions. Call 217-240-0059 or 217-868-5293 or go to our website: www.my-christian-space.com
Enduring Freedom Ministries is free and for everyone!

Wednesday's Schedule
2026-02-18
PrintJUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
National Trail Conference Eighth-Grade Tournament
At Windsor
At New Gym
Match 1 — Stewardson-Strasburg vs. St. Elmo/Brownstown, 4:30 p.m.
Match 2 — Dieterich vs. Effingham Sacred Heart, 5:30 p.m.
At Old Gym
Match 3 — Neoga vs. Altamont, 4:30 p.m.
Match 4 — Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City vs. Windsor, 5:30 p.m.
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
University of Illinois at Southern California, 9 p.m.

Thursday's Schedule
2026-02-19
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Dieterich at Grayville, 6 p.m.
Neoga vs. Tri-County at Lake Land College, 6 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Class 1A Bluford Webber Regional
Game 5 – Edwards County vs. Woodlawn, 6 p.m. (championship)
Class 1A North Clay Regional
Game 6 — Brownstown/St. Elmo vs. Dieterich 6 p.m. (championship)
Class 1A Mount Pulaski Regional
Game 5 – Mount Pulaski vs. Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 6 p.m. (championship)
Class 1A Casey-Westfield Regional
Game 5 – Cumberland vs. Martinsville, 6 p.m. (championship)
Class 2A Paris Regional
Game 4 – Effingham vs. Paris, 7 p.m. (championship) (LISTEN ON 979XFM)
Class 2A Teutopolis Regional
Game 4 – Teutopolis vs. Robinson, 6:30 p.m. (championship) (LISTEN ON KJ COUNTRY 102.3)
Class 7-2A Mount Carmel Regional
Game 4 – Mount Carmel vs. Fairfield, 6 p.m. (championship)
Wrestling
State, TBA
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
Boys Basketball
Okaw Valley at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 6 p.m.
Teutopolis at Robinson, 6 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
Effingham at Altamont, 4:15 p.m.
St. Anthony at Richland County, Olney, 5 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Windsor, 4:30 p.m.
Casey-Westfield at Cumberland, 4:30 p.m.
Jasper County at Charleston, 4:30 p.m.
North Clay at South Central, 4:30 p.m.
St. Elmo/Brownstown at Stewardson-Strasburg, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Shelbyville Moulton, 4:30 p.m.
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Morehead State at Eastern Illinois University, 7:30 p.m.

Annual Tree Sale
2026-02-20
PrintThe public can call the Effingham County SWCD office to have an order form emailed or mailed to them.

Music BINGO Night for S.T.A.R.
2026-02-20

Red Cross Blood Drives in February
2026-02-20, 2026-02-23
PrintAmerican Red Cross Blood Drives in February:
2/5, Thursday, Knights of Columbus Hall, Newton, Noon – 5:30 PM
2/6, Friday, Newton High School, 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
2/10, Tuesday, Mason Christian Church Annex, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/12, Thursday, EIU Student Union Ballroom, Charleston, Noon – 4:00 PM
2/12, Thursday, Flora Church of the Nazarene, Noon – 5:00 PM
2/12, Thursday, Apostolic Center Church, Mattoon, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/13, Friday, Oblong Municipal Building, 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM
2/16, Monday, Home Church, Charleston, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/16, Monday, St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Sainte Marie, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/17, Tuesday, Grace United Methodist Church, Neoga, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/17, Tuesday, Dieterich High School, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/20, Friday, Altamont High School, 8:15 AM – 2:00 PM
2/23, Monday, Shelbyville High School, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
2/24, Tuesday, St Michael Church – Sigel, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/26, Thursday, Neal Center YMCA, Toledo, 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Come give blood through February 28, for a $20 e-gift card to your choice of merchant. See rcblood.org/heart
To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or download the Red Cross Donor App.

Friday's Schedule
2026-02-20
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Effingham at Mattoon, 6 p.m. (LISTEN ON 979XFM)
St. Anthony at Cumberland, 6 p.m. (LISTEN ON KJ COUNTRY 102.3)
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Altamont, 6:15 p.m.
St. Elmo/Brownstown at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 5 p.m.
Dieterich at Robinson, 6 p.m.
Neoga at Okaw Valley at Bethany, 6 p.m.
Flora at Newton, 6 p.m.
North Clay at South Central, 5 p.m.
Teutopolis at Richland County, Olney, 6 p.m.
Wrestling
State, TBA
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
Boys Basketball
St. Anthony at Cumberland, 5 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
Dieterich at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
Jasper County at LEIC Seventh-Grade Tournament at Marshall, TBA

FCCLA Soup Supper in Altamont
2026-02-20
PrintAn FCCLA Soup Supper will be at Altamont Community High School, this Friday, February 20th. Serving will be from 5:30 – 8:00 pm in the FCS room.
There will be your choice of Soup or Chili, roll or cornbread, homemade dessert, and iced tea or lemonade..
All for a free-will donation.
All proceeds will benefit ACHS FCCLA for service projects, field trips, and conferences.
For any questions, contact Sheri Schafer at Altamont High School.

AYCE Fish Fry at Edgewood Legion
2026-02-20

Bee School with Crossroads Beekeepers
2026-02-21
PrintOn Saturday, February 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Crossroads Beekeepers will be holding their annual bee school at the University of Illinois Extension Center, at 1209 North Wenthe in Effingham. This year’s bee school is for anyone interested in beekeeping and will focus on basic skills and information needed for the beginning beekeeper.
Class topics include Understanding the Honeybee, Hive Components and Equipment, Getting and Feeding Your First Bees, and Your First Year of Beekeeping.
In addition to the speakers, there will be educational displays created by club members and live demonstrations on lighting a smoker and extracting honey from frames.
Doors will open for check-in at 8:15am. The first session will start at 9:00am and the school will finish at 4:00pm
The cost to attend this all-day bee school is $35.00 and includes the classes, presentation handouts, sample copies of beekeeping journals, refreshments and a catered lunch. Those registered for the Beginning Beekeeping workshop will also receive the book “First Lessons in Beekeeping”. Registration deadline is Wednesday, February 11th.
For more information and to registration for the bee school, visit the club’s website at http://crossroads.clubexpress.com .
Crossroads Beekeepers is a local beekeeping club based in Effingham and has been serving area beekeepers since 2010. Club meetings are on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the basement of the University of Illinois Extension Center.
For more information regarding the bee school, please contact Larry Quicksall at 217-347-5937.

Sweet 'Hearts' Night Out - Effingham Sportsbackers
2026-02-21

Meat Shoot at Edgewood
2026-02-21

Saturday's Schedule
2026-02-21
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Wrestling
State, TBA
Track
Cumberland at Mount Zion Indoor Meet, TBA
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
National Trail Conference Eighth-Grade Tournament
At Windsor
New Gym
Match 5 — South Central vs. Winner Match 1, 9 a.m.
Match 7 — Sigel St. Michael vs. Winner Match 2, 10 a.m.
Match 9 — Loser Match 5 vs. Loser Match 7, 11 a.m.
Match 11 — Winner Match 5 vs. Winner Match 7, 12:30 p.m.
Match 14 — Loser Match 11 vs. Loser Match 12, 1:30 p.m. (third place)
Match 15 — Winner Match 11 vs. Winner Match 12, 2:30 p.m. (championship)
Old Gym
Match 6 — North Clay vs. Winner Game 3, 9 a.m.
Match 8 — Cumberland vs. Winner Match 4, 10 a.m.
Match 10 — Loser Match 6 vs. Loser Match 8, 11 a.m.
Match 12 — Winner Match 6 vs. Winner Match 8, 12:30 p.m.
Match 13 — Winner Match 9 vs. Winner Match 10, 1:30 p.m. (consolation championship)
St. Anthony, Teutopolis (eighth only) at Effingham Side-Out Seventh & Eighth-Grade Tournament, 9 a.m.
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
University of Illinois at UCLA, 7 p.m.
Southern Indiana at Eastern Illinois University, 3:30 p.m.
NASCAR
Bennett Transportaiton and Logistics 250 at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, 3:30 p.m.

Raffle And Bingo For Bows
2026-02-22

Sunday's Schedule
2026-02-22
PrintNASCAR
Autotrader 400 at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, 1 p.m.

Teutopolis Boys Golf Raffle of Cardinals Green Seats
2026-02-22
PrintTeutopolis Boys Golf is selling raffle tickets to win 4 Cardinals Green Seats. This includes the Cardinals Club Buffett, a Parking Pass, and In-Seat Food and Beverage.
The game is TBD.
Raffle Tickets are: 1/$20, 3/$50, or 7/$100. They’ll be available until close to Opening Day, March 26.
To get your chances, reach out to Mike Wilson, who accepts Venmo @MikeWils13. Will need your name and cellphone number.
Thanks for your support of Teutopolis Boys Golf!

Basket Binga for Stew-Stras Post Prom
2026-02-22
Print
There will be 20 unique baskets to win.
Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

Monday's Schedule
2026-02-23
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Class 1A Casey-Westfield Regional
Game 1 – Chrisman at Casey-Westfield, 6 p.m.
Game 2 – Broadlands Heritage at Arcola, 6 p.m.
Game 3 – Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond at Cumberland, 6:30 p.m.
Game 4 – Neoga at Moweaqua Central A&M, 6 p.m.
Class 1A Tuscola Regional
Game 1 – Martinsville at Tuscola, 6 p.m.
Game 2 – Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Hume Shiloh Co-op, 6 p.m.
Game 3 – Villa Grove at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 6 p.m.
Game 4 – Macon Meridian at Bethany Okaw Valley, 6 p.m.
Class 1A North Clay Regional
Game 1 – Ramsey Co-op at Lawrenceville, 6 p.m.
Game 2 – Patoka Co-op at Red Hill (Bridgeport), 6:30 p.m.
Game 3 – South Central at North Clay, 7 p.m.
Game 4 – Grayville at Dieterich, 6 p.m.
Class 1A Altamont Regional
Game 1 – Centralia Christ Our Rock Lutheran at Bluford (Webber Township), 7 p.m.
Game 2 – Wayne City at St. Elmo/Brownstown, 6 p.m.
Game 3 – Sandoval at Altamont, 6:30 p.m.
Game 4 – Cisne at Edwards County (Albion), 7 p.m.
Class 2A Vandalia Regional
Game 1 – Flora at Vandalia, 6 p.m.
Game 2 – Olney at Effingham, 6 p.m.
Class 2A Robinson Regional
Game 1 – Robinson at Mount Carmel, 6 p.m.
Game 2 – Hutsonville/Palestine/Oblong at Newton, 6:30 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
Cumberland at Altamont, 4:30 p.m.
Sigel St. Michael at Teutopolis, 4:30 p.m.
Olney at Jasper County, 4:30 p.m.
North Clay at Flora Floyd Henson, 4:45 p.m.
St. Elmo/Brownstown at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
Windsor at Arcola, 6 p.m.

Cooking Across Continents Program
2026-02-24
Print
You can register for one session or any number of them. This program will run on the dates linked below:

September 30, 2025: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking93025
October 28, 2025: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking102825
January 27, 2026: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking012725
February 24, 2026: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking022426
March 24, 2026: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking032826
April 28, 2026: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking042826
May 19, 2026: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking051926

Elks Trade Scholarship Available
2026-02-24

Open House - St. John's Eagle's Nest Preschool
2026-02-24
